Redskins release K Graham Gano, sign Billy Cundiff

[August 29, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- One day after he appeared to win the Washington Redskins kicking job, Graham Gano is out of work. His replacement is Billy Cundiff, who spent two days unemployed after getting cut by the Baltimore Ravens.

Gano was released and Cundiff signed by the Redskins, who announced the move on Tuesday.

It was an abrupt development in the Redskins kicking carousel. Gano stood at this locker feeling excited and looking forward to the season Monday after his lone competition in training camp, Neil Rackers, was sent packing when the team made its first round of cuts.

But Gano's numbers have never been impressive. He has made 73.8 percent of his field goal attempts since joining the Redskins (No. 25 in the AP Pro32) late in the 2009 season, the second-worst percentage in the league over the last three seasons.

Gano, 25, missed 11 attempts in 2010, tied for most in the NFL. He had a league-high 10 misses last season, although five of those were blocked. He beat out Rackers without attempting a field goal in the Redskins' preseason games, coming out ahead based on his performance during practice.

Cundiff's statistics are only marginally better. The 32-year-old kicker has a career field goal percentage of 76.7 with the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore. He joined the Ravens during the 2009 season and went to the Pro Bowl season in 2010, going 26 for 29, but last season he missed a potential game-tying, 32-yarder against the New England Patriots in the waning seconds of the AFC title game.

Cundiff also has limited range. He is 5 for 19 over his career from 50-plus yards, including just 1 for 6 last season. He was cut Sunday by the Ravens, who opted to go with rookie Justin Tucker.

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Online:

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[Associated Press; By JOSEPH WHITE]

Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP.

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